- Published: November 16, 2021
- Updated: November 16, 2021
- University / College: University of Bath
- Language: English
- Downloads: 31
Finally, the educational system was changed to ensure a brighter future. Muhammad Ali sent students to Europe to learn new languages and techniques. Learning french was extremely beneficial. A lot of the military experts came from france, so the students who learned french could later translate what these experts were saying.
In addition, they could translate texts into turkish and arabic and teach others in Egypt. Teaching foreign languages and translating became valued jobs, which started off a society in which people did not just do rural work. Schools specialized in certain fields were brought to people’s’ attention as well. An old military hospital reopened in 1837 as a medical school. 420 students were trained there and lots of them later went to France to become experts. Muhammad Ali was a huge fan of this idea once French physician Clot proposed it to him in 1825.
Opening a new medical school would eventually lead to a healthier population, resulting in more people to work. In addition, the hospital for civilians, also opened in 1837, and the free clinics located in main cities would have more workers. Thus, more sick people could be attended to and saved from death.
A school for midwives, which opened in 1837, also helped a lot of people with birth. The reason why these reforms were possible is because Muhammad Ali was very passionate about education. Muhammad Ali himself was illiterate until the age of 47. He believed that “ education was the key to success and would open the door to the future”, so he made sure all of his children were always studying hard. The fact that the ruler of Egypt was so enthusiastic about education, made sure that the rest of the population was also being educated.
Since Ali’s children were in school he was motivated to improve the primary and secondary school systems to make sure the young students were being taught in the best and most efficient way. Also, schools specialized in specific fields, like veterinary science, agriculture, mineralogy and engineering created specialists. The schools were run on military lines, and whipping sometimes happened, but the students did get a good education.
